Lets talk Hans

[tymeks]

Ok, Ok. I know its mandatory BUT.

I don't know much about it quite yet.

I have a sparco fighter seat. My first question is, can I use that seat? It is a nice seat with side mounted brackets and a 5 point pass through. Other than that, nothing special, just comfortable.

Second. Other than then actual Hans device do I need a special helmet? I have a helmet that meets all the standards but it doesn't have the pre drilled holes for the Hans anchors. I can see that some helmets have the pre drilled holes but you still have to buy the anchors. I have seen some people drill there own holes into the existing helmets they have and attach the hans anchors. Good idea or bad idea?

If I can use the existing stuff I have then that would save me a couple grand so but I definitly don't want to sacrifice saftey over a few bucks. Thanks

[CCapaldi]

As for the seat, (Correct me if mistaken Ted) It looks to be fine, but, If the seat dosen't have the required FIA rating you will need to run a seat back brace.

15.6.22 Seat Back Support
A seatback support must be made to hold the seat from going back in the event of a
crash. A plate should be used to distribute the load. No bolts, corners, or sharp objects
should be placed in such a manner that could lead to a possible puncture of the driver in
a high impact crash. Proper design and installation is crucial to safety and it is
recommended that the driver employ the services of a professional race car builder for
this, as well as all other vehicle safety items. An exception may be made for those seats
homologated to, and mounted in accordance with, FIA 8855-1999 standards. Those
seats that qualify for the aforementioned exception must conform to the entire FIA 8855-
1999 set of regulations. This includes a mandatory seat replacement, or use of a seat
back brace, for any seat more than five (5) years old. Please reference the FIA
regulations. http://www.fia.com/


Also your seat doesn't have side head bolsters so you will be required to run a right side net.

15.17.9 Head Restraint – Side Impact
All vehicles must be outfitted with a right-side impact head restraint system. A seat with
a “bolster” to keep the head from moving to the right side in an impact is acceptable. A
side-impact head-net restraint system, such as the Racetech RTViperRP is also
acceptable. Note- all side-impact head-net restraint systems must have a quick-release
mechanism to aid the driver in case of a necessary egress via the passenger side. Does
not apply to formula cars or sports racers.

You can use your existing helmet if it meets the required ratings as well. HANS as well as some dealers have trained employees who you can send your helmet to have the anchors installed. There are also directions on their website to install them yourself if you feel up to it. http://hansdevice.com/s.nl;jsessioni...Ta38Sbxj0?sc=5

Hope this helps!

[Ted7rns]

Yeap, Everything Craig said is correct.

[tymeks]

It does, thanks a million.

[BUR_ZX3]

[tallguy2.3]

We need a chop with a Hans on the Fonz!

[BUR_ZX3]

[SVTBuckeye]

Go to the HANS web site for more info. http://hansdevice.com/s.nl/sc.5/.f
Select the oweners manual pdf file for details

Additionally, I read a site that addressed the installation of the "Anchor Post" or what ever they are called. The drilling of the hole is what all installers do, either the folks that sell helmets or the owner, me or you!

The issues are, cleaning the hole after drilling. i.e. the helmets are made of a fiber, fiber glass usually. this material will shred when drilled so a sharp object that is slim will help cut off these "fibers" that are down in the hole.

The HANS device has detailed instructions for installation that include finding the center of the rear of the helmet and measuring out to the sides from there a distance (6in) I believe. And then intersecting with a measurement up from the bottom of the helmet 1.5 inch I believe. Drill there and you will find oil
not!

Then the installation requires moving the pading away from the inside some to work a nut into the area and hold with a sheet metal thick wrench that is provided. also provided is some thread lock. The placement of the nut is considerably difficult as the foam does not want to move away from the helmet shell.

The HANS device does NOT keep the head from going forward such that the chin touchs the chest. What it does is, after the head is forward with chin near or on the chest, it keeps the head that is tilted forward from moving away stretching the head off the neck. So the tethers are pulling the helmet against the top of the head, not against the face area as you might think looking at a static upright body. Get the picture? no picture provided.


Apparently the device takes up some space behind the helmet and shoulders so the seat back needs to rise up straight, not towards the head, giving room for the device. You see some seats advertized as HANS compatable, i.e. having room for it behind the head.

I'm all played out here. hope this helps your vision of the situation.

PS. as of Feb, there is a new twist to the HANS, a sliding tether system that allows the helmet/head to rotate to the sides for much greater freedom of vision. That is what I just got. Get that if buying new as it is just $25 more, about $715/$720. To retrofit requires a $75 kit for an existing fixed tether system that would be $695 . = $770 complete.

[recar]

Does the Hans work with the factory G-force helmet posts?

[sleeperlove]

If you are talking about the little d rings that hang off the side, no it does not

[recar]

Originally Posted by sleeperlove

If you are talking about the little d rings that hang off the side, no it does not

My G-Force pro 1 has 2 threaded inserts for the SRS head restraint.

[sleeperlove]

Pictures? From a google search it looks like they might be right behind the visornear cheek level.

From looking at the instructions posted earlier in this thread those will not work unless I just couldn't see it right which is possible because the views were frome the 3/4 angle

Edit: also after looking up the SRS restraint and comparing with the directions I don't think they will work. Really uoi need to look at the link posted that has the hand directions in it.

[recar]

Originally Posted by sleeperlove

Pictures? From a google search it looks like they might be right behind the visornear cheek level.

From looking at the instructions posted earlier in this thread those will not work unless I just couldn't see it right which is possible because the views were frome the 3/4 angle

Edit: also after looking up the SRS restraint and comparing with the directions I don't think they will work. Really uoi need to look at the link posted that has the hand directions in it.

I didn't realize the anchor points for the Hans were so far forward. The G-force anchor points are all the way in the back.

[SVTBuckeye]

The anchor are a unique device. They have a spring loaded part that keeps the tether on and requires inward pressure on the tether end to remove. The "post" of the anchor is not completely round, having a pointed part that has to be pointed towards the rear with a slight downward orientation.

Some other anchor device is not going to work. It is not just another hook/snap/device. Cost is $50-$55 American Dollars.

Upon further review, the new Grassroots Motorsports has a short piece on installation. They have an incorrect picture using the supplied wrench on the outside post. The wrench is to move the nut into position and tighten the nut inside the helmet after almost all tightening is done from the outside using a 7/16 open end wrench. The reason is: the post's small tab has to be oriented toward the rear of the helmet. You couldn't accomplish that by doing the final tightening from the outside, i.e. alighnment and tight.

What you gonna do when you see something published and it is not correct?

[QJKXBM]

bumping this up, I had a question about your fighter seat TYMEKS. I'm looking to get that seat and I wanted to know how large it is/how well you fit in it.

[JCM Racing #45]

The seat fits great for me. It has the removable kidney bolsters for driving it on the street and they work great.

But if you plan on doing any racing know that it is not FIA approved. Hence why I'm getting a new seat.

[Matt Marks]

FIA approval isn't needed for seats - just SFI. If you do have an FIA seat, you will NOT need to run a seatback brace.